after finding Reddit threads (here and here) from my own perplexed neighbours reporting humming sounds, i began exploring this dimension of kitchener's downtown sound culture - mechanical, industrial, hums - that are typically unheard or unnoticed. this exploration led me to consider how these hums provide evidence of destructive and oppressive systems such as as capitalism, settler colonialism, and ecological degredation that are operating in the present moment. the settler colonial city is always humming, running, and visually shapeshifting. however, the hum is a sound that most will recognize as a sign of operation. in this work, i weave the hums of downtown kitchener at night with the hums of my own singular body. in doing so, i grapple with and sonify my singular existence amongst systems that are simultaneously mythical and real, below the surface and part of the makeup of everyday life. this project was submitted to the New Adventures in Sound Art's (NAISA) call for submissions on sonic culture of place. currently, i am working on video work of downtown kitchener at night to accompany this sound piece.
